May seems to have a theme all to itself – the letter “M.” May Day, Mother’s Day and Memorial Day all take place in the merry month of May. Even its birthstone is the “M”erald. (Emerald)

May Day, celebrated on May 1, is an ancient Northern Hemisphere spring festival. In England, as well as some other areas, people dance around the Maypole. A tall pole is erected, brightly colored streamers are attached at the top, and each participant takes a streamer. Then they dance around the pole weaving the streamers in and out. Another May Day custom is to anonymously give baskets with flowers and candy to friends and neighbors. The baskets are often homemade containers made with heavy card stock or woven from strips of construction paper.

Mother’s Day this year is May 12, the second Sunday in May. Mother’s Day, as we know it, is an American invention. It was first celebrated in 1908, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial to her mother. She then waged a campaign to make the second Sunday in May a national holiday. She succeeded and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed this act into law. However, the celebration of mothers can be traced back to ancient Rome and Greece. A tradition of Mother’s Day was to wear a corsage or boutonnière to Sunday services. Red flowers were to honor your mother and white flowers were in memory of your mother.

Memorial Day is the last Monday in the month of May. Originally, it was called Decoration Day, held on May 30, a day set aside to decorate the graves of the Union and Confederate soldiers that died during the Civil War. Later, it was changed to Memorial Day and was to commemorate all soldiers that died in battle in any of the wars. With the enactment of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1971, Memorial Day has been on the last Monday of May. In 1987, Senator Daniel Inouye (Hawaii), himself a World War II veteran, introduced a measure to return Memorial Day to May 30. There is a difference between Memorial Day in May and Veterans Day in November. Memorial Day is designated to remember those veterans that died during war. Veterans Day is to honor all veterans.

There are several safety rules to remember when children are in or around water.

Is there anything more fun for children than playing outdoors in the water during the summer? Whether you are a parent, grandparent, guardian, or other care provider for children, drowning is the leading cause of death among children, ages one to four.

If you are responsible for caring for your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or are a “babysitter,” there are several safety rules to remember when children are in or around water.

1) Don’t consider children to be “drown-proof” because they have had swimming lessons.

2) Keep ladders, patio furniture and toys away from above-ground pools. Toddlers are very good at climbing!

3) Fence in your pool completely and install a self-closing, self-latching gate.

4) Use personal flotation devices for young children.

5) Don’t be fooled by baby pools. Small children could drown in as little as two inches of water.

6) Make sure to empty and store all buckets out of children’s reach. Five gallon buckets of water pose a threat to babies and toddlers who may topple into them while playing and be unable to free themselves.

7) Children should always wear life vests when swimming in lakes and rivers.

Teach children that it is unsafe to dive head-first into a lake or river, because it may be too shallow.

9) If you have a garden pond, install a rigid screen across the pond to create a secure cover.

10) Most important rule to remember: Do not leave children unattended in or near the water!

Whenever possible, appoint an adult who can swim to watch children while they are in a backyard pool. That adult should not read, talk on the phone, mow the lawn, leave the pool area to answer the door, or do any other distracting activity while watching the children. Most drownings occur during a brief lapse in supervision, when a caregiver becomes distracted or involved in another activity. Keep pool water clear and move floats and other toys when the pool is not in use. Cloudy water and items floating in the water may prevent a child from being seen.

Children are naturally curious and find water, fish and frogs irresistible. Plants that often surround garden ponds may make it difficult to see a submerged child. If possible, fence in the pond area and install a self-closing gate with a childproof lock.

Supervise… supervise… supervise children at all times when they are outside. Whether you, personally, have a backyard water attraction, it only takes a minute for a child to wander away and head straight for a neighbor’s yard where there may be a garden pond or outdoor pool.

For more information about the Child Abuse Council’s prevention and education programs, you can visit us at www.childabuseqc.org or contact me at pamh@childabuseqc.org.

By Joe Hutter

How many times have you gone to a business because of a coupon you received in the mail or in the local paper? Auto repairs are not services you should utilize because of a coupon, an advertisement or a web site stating they have a good deal for your car repairs. Word of mouth is probably the best kind of advertising. You could also check with the Better Business Bureau to be sure there are no complaints at the Consumer Protection Division. In Iowa, the telephone number is 1-888-777-4590. This is part of the Iowa Attorney General’s Office. It is also good to see if the auto shop or mechanic is Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified. Iowa also has a Motor Service Trade Practice Act, which gives a consumer certain rights to help avoid paying higher than expected repair charges. One of the specifications of the Motor Service Trade Practice Act is that the consumer has a right to receive a written estimate for expected costs over $50. The repair shop is obligated to give you a written estimate. There are many other requirements of the Motor Service Trade Practice Act and you can find out more by calling the Iowa Attorney General’s Office.

Our Seniors And Law enforcement Together (SALT) group is taking our next meeting to the Fountains in Bettendorf. The address is 3726 Thunder Ridge Road in Bettendorf, and the telephone number is (563) 332-5775. We have been invited to hold our May 22 meeting there. Yes, coffee and cookies will be provided, and members of the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Davenport Police Department, and Bettendorf Police Department will be there. A program will begin at 9:30 a.m. Sheri Voy, Program Director for the Fountains, has invited all seniors to attend the program and meeting afterwards. This is something new for SALT, and we will be happy to host a program at a senior facility in Scott County. If you would like a meeting at your senior facility, please contact Pam at the Scott County Sheriff’s Office at (563) 326-8217 for scheduling. Our next SALT meeting will be held at CASI on June 26 at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome!

We’d like to meet every other month at various locations. SALT is open to anyone living in Iowa or Illinois. Bring a friend and meet the officers of the local police departments.

For more information contact Pam at (563) 326-8217. See you at the Fountains in Bettendorf on May 22!

Take care.

SOCIAL SECURITY’S “TRIPLE CROWN” OF SOCIAL MEDIA

From the stables to the tracks, people across the United States are already talking about this year’s Triple Crown. The three biggest thoroughbred horse races in the nation — the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky; the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, Maryland; and the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York — take place in the coming weeks. It has been 34 years since a horse has won all three and taken the U.S. Triple Crown.

Social Security has a horse in the race, so to speak. We offer our own “Triple Crown” of social media at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Facebook is a great place to stay in the know when it comes to useful information about Social Security. “Like” Social Security at www.facebook.com/socialsecurity.

Twitter is another place to get regular updates in short bursts. We promise to be brief as we keep you up to date in 140-characters or less. Select “Follow” at www.twitter.com/socialsecurity.

Prefer watching videos? We’ve got those too. The third part to our social media “Triple Crown” is our YouTube page, where you can find everything from informative webinars to short messages from Social Security. You can view fun public service announcements starring George Takei, Don Francisco, Chubby Checker, and the reunited cast of The Patty Duke Show. You can even watch Patty Duke apply online for retirement benefits in her pajamas! Join the fun and get some useful information at www.youtube.com/socialsecurityonline.

It’s not easy to predict a Triple Crown winner. Affirmed was the name of the horse who won all three races in 1978. But, everyone can be a Social Security social media Triple Crown winner simply by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov and selecting the three icons in the upper right corner.

MOTHERS EVERYWHERE APPRECIATE EXTRA HELP

Think of all the times and ways that Mom has helped you over the years — when you were a child, and after you became an adult. With Mother’s Day upon us, now is a good time to pay Mom back with a little Extra Help — with her Medicare prescription drug costs.

If your mother is covered by Medicare and has limited income and resources, she may be eligible for Extra Help — available through Social Security — to pay part of her monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments. The Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $4,000 per year.

That means putting $4,000 in Mom’s pocket without having to spend a dime!

To figure out whether your mother is eligible, Social Security needs to know her income and the value of her savings, investments and real estate (other than the home she lives in). To qualify for the Extra Help, she must be receiving Medicare and have:

• Income limited to $17,235 for an individual or $23,265 for a married couple living together. Even if her annual income is higher, she still may be able to get some help with monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments. Some examples where income may be higher include if she and, if married, her spouse:
—Support other family members who live with them
—Have earnings from work
—Live in Alaska or Hawaii

• Resources limited to $13,300 for an individual or $26,580 for a married couple living together. Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. We do not count her house or car as a resource.

Social Security has an easy-to-use online application that you can help complete for your mom. You can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp. To apply by phone or have an application mailed to you, call Social Security at
1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for the Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs (SSA-1020), or go to the nearest Social Security office. Find the Social Security office nearest you by using our online office locator. You’ll find it at the bottom of the “Popular Services” section at www.socialsecurity.gov.

To learn more about the Medicare prescription drug plans and special enrollment periods, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048).

Mom has always been there to help you. She’s sure to appreciate a little Extra Help this Mother’s Day — especially if you can show her how to put $4,000 in her pocket without spending a dime! Keep in mind as Father’s Day approaches, you can get the same “free gift” of Extra Help for Dad! Learn more by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp.

“We come from the earth, we return to the earth, and in between we garden.”

Every year in April, our suburban yard would come alive with color. The tulips and jonquils would push through the soil and explode in the vibrant colors of spring. The buds on the two forsythia bushes at the corner of our modest brick bungalow would turn to delicate yellow flowers, and the branches of the pussy willow, my favorite of all, would fill with soft cotton like nubs. As spring turned into summer, my childhood home would become a showplace of trees and flowers. My mother, who loved to garden, shared her passion with me, and I, in turn, did the same with my two sons. I never thought much about it, but when they were just toddlers, I would have them sitting next to me on the ground placing the delicate annuals in the freshly dug holes in the landscaping. My older son pursued a career in landscaping and still works in an agricultural related field. And, I am guessing it won’t be too long before my younger son, Bret, has my granddaughter Lucy, trowel in hand, sitting next to him in the garden! I have never questioned why I gardened; it just seemed to be a way of life for me. But in a recent article, I was pleased to read the many benefits that gardening has for both our mental and physical well-being.

• Gardening activities provide both cardio and aerobic exercise. Studies show that an hour of moderate gardening can burn up to 300 calories for women and 400 for men. From walking behind a mower, bending and stretching, planting and trimming, and hauling plants and soil, gardening provides a kind of cardiovascular workout. Strength, endurance and flexibility are all improved by gardening, making it one of the best all-around exercises, helping to reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and osteoporosis. In a study of 3,310 older women, researchers from the University of Arkansas found that women involved in yard work and other types of gardening exercises had lower rates of osteoporosis than joggers, swimmers and women who did aerobics.

• The therapeutic benefits of gardening have been recognized since humans first cultivated plants, but there is now a growing professional practice linking gardening to numerous, wide-ranging mental health benefits. ‘Horticultural Therapy’ is based on the physical, mental and emotional healing that is possible from regular interaction with a garden. It is successfully used in a variety of situations and is useful in helping people with special needs, the elderly, and those who have mental health problems.

• Gardeners who grow their own plants or vegetables are more likely to eat a wider range of fruit, vegetables, salad and herbs than non-gardeners. Eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables is essential to a healthy diet. Those gardeners who raise their own herbs and use them in cooking are one step ahead. The use of herbs in cooking reduces the need for salt and other seasonings that are linked to high blood pressure and other serious medical conditions.

• Gardening is a great activity to share with your children and grandchildren. Not only is it a healthy change from the sedentary, and electronic world that engulfs our young people, but students who actively engage in designing, planting and maintaining a garden, show improved attitudes towards education and significantly higher scores on achievement tests especially in the area of science.

• A garden provides an oasis of calm in a mad, mad world; a personal, private and peaceful place to escape to, from time to time when we need to restore a sense of balance and wellbeing. The term “garden,” which is of Germanic origin, means “yard” or “enclosure” and denotes ways of organizing earth, water, plants, as well as people, animals and art. The ideas of the garden as a place where order is imposed upon an inherently chaotic, disorderly, painful, and dangerous natural world is central to ancient Egyptian, Persian, Islamic, European, and European-American concepts of the garden.

“ My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece of art.”
Claude Monet

It is so much easier to enjoy life when you are surrounded by flowers, vegetables, and all the wildlife they attract. Gardening provides an outlet for creative and artistic expression. It fosters confidence as there are no mistakes in gardening, only experiments. It cultivates patience, gives us hope, and strengthens our faith as we wait for that seed or plant to sprout and our barren earth to become a canvas of vibrant and varied colors.

“He who plants a seed beneath the sod and waits to see the plants, believes in God.”
Anonymous

Mary Schricker Gemberling, a former educator and Seniors Real Estate Specialist, is the author of two books, The West End Kid and Labor of Love; My Personal Journey Through the World of Caregiving (available on www.amazon.com).

Recently, I was asked to be part of an expert panel. I was honored, and so I accepted the position to speak to incoming freshmen and their parents at our local high school. I would not exactly call myself an expert, yet I have been through the registration and college preparatory process favorably. As my experience is relevant only to my oldest son and those with similar interests, abilities and goals, I found myself giving advice and ending with the phrase, “Do not hesitate to contact your child’s guidance counselor.” This caused me to think about the patient advocacy we at Goldercare Solutions provide to our clients every day.

When we began in the high school registration process, we did our homework through research, talking with experienced parents and planning. Good college planning begins with solid high school planning. We knew this and wanted to make the most of each semester. Even with all our knowledge, it became necessary to have an advocate. My son’s guidance counselor proved to be that person. She was knowledgeable of the system, knew what colleges wanted, had knowledge of teachers and took into account my son’s academic ability and drive. She was unbiased and knew how to put all the pieces together to make the schedule fit. She even knew how to interpret special language in the student handbook and helped us to utilize these tidbits to my son’s benefit.

This is what we do at Goldercare Solutions. As the guidance counselor helps students and their families navigate the high school academic system, so too do we help people and their families navigate the long term care system. The best high school planning occurs before the child ever sets foot in the building. Does that mean that the guidance counselor cannot assist students who either change their minds or seek help for the first time during their junior year? No, but it does diminish their options and make the path a little more difficult. For example, I know students who have changed their college choice, only to find that the new college they want has requirements they have not planned into their schedule. Their guidance counselor can often help with some fancy planning. While this planning often meets the objective, it often makes for a tough senior year. To this end, early planning for long term care solutions result in the smoothest transitions and best plans.

Much like the guidance counselor, we are advocates. Instead of solving your high school academic problems, we solve your long term care problems. We are independent, knowledgeable of the situation and able to put each person’s particular care needs together with all the pieces of the puzzle, to develop a plan/schedule to best meet your needs. With a two-pronged emphasis on receiving appropriate care and paying for this care, our care and benefits advocates work together to reach objectives for our clients. One of the many ways we do this is through patient advocacy. We host bi-monthly interactive coaching discussions, focusing on empowering loved ones to navigate the healthcare maze successfully. These are open to the public and free of charge. Our next meeting is from 3 to 4 p.m., Thursday, May 16 at Goldercare Solutions. Seating is limited, so please call ahead at (309) 764-2273 (CARE) to reserve your place.

If you are entering this phase of your life with a loved one, and you have talked with all the ‘experts’ in your life, but still have questions, give us a call. We specialize in solving your long term care problems.

Glenda Thomas is a Benefits Advocate at GolderCare Solutions Unlimited. She holds a Masters degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Northern Illinois University. Her love of numbers and people make her a valuable asset in assisting our clients at GolderCare Solutions Unlimited.

Interestingly enough, I recently read reports that up to 75 percent of the hospitals re-admissions are potentially preventable. Utilizing the services of a private duty, licensed home care agency is a way to bridge the gap during the transitional period of recovery and provide the services that address, and typically can prevent, the most common reasons for hospital re-admission.

We, at Lighthouse Homecare, will provide you quality home care services that can assist you with follow-up services. Our services are very reasonable, and we can coordinate your services to provide quality and necessary care to help you with full recovery and prevent re-admittance.

We can start by meeting you at the hospital or rehabilitation center. We can provide safe transportation home for you, your equipment and belongings. Other ways we can help will include preparing meals, monitoring medication, picking up supplies, groceries and even prescriptions.

When it comes to assisting you with daily living, we can build a service around both your budget and your needs. The last thing you want is to end up back in the hospital, when it can be possibly prevented by having the proper care.

At Lighthouse Homecare, we have a nurse on staff, and we are licensed in both Iowa and Illinois. In Illinois, we have both a nursing services license and a home services license. Our staff is trained to give you the benefit of companionship, helping with chores and much, much more. Yes, we can even take you to and from appointments. I recently answered the phone for one of our lovely customers, and she was very kind about the service we have given her. To this, I want to thank you publicly in this article. It is a true pleasure to serve you!

Often times, people are timid and scared to have someone come into their home. Yes, it’s probably like that first time you jumped into the hot tub. Well, it’s really warm and feels great. So, please give us a call. We would like to be your home care of choice. We have plenty of references and offer many
payment options.

I also would like to point out, in addition to traditional home care, we have short-term services that can help you, as well. For example, if you have a hip operation coming up, we can help there, too! Don’t rely on that family friend and/or neighbor. Let them come visit and enjoy you, while we do all the work for you.

Whatever your story, we want to help. Please give us a call at (309) 786-9982 and simply ask!

Which is stronger, a blizzard Winter, or a robust Spring? As a broadcaster, I remained alert to daily conditions, in all seasons. Reports of what conditions might mean to exposed livestock, and in Spring, to planting the crops and the “growing season” follow-up. From Germany, it’s called a folk poem.

Spring’s Arrival

All the birds have come again,
Hear the happy chorus!
Robin, Bluebirds on the wing,
Thrush and wren this message bring,
Spring will soon come in,
Come with joyous singing.

Folk poems and songs usually offer no author, they just appear and hang around, for a period of time. Next, we offer a cute poem from a Belgium poet, Guido Gezelle, through translator Jethro Bithell.

To The Sun From a Flower

O Sun, when I stand in my green leaves,
With my petals full of dew
And you fare forth in your splendor,
My blossoming heart looks to you.
When on the red dawn throning,
The world at your feet you view,
Forget not the little flower
That waits and watches for you.

There are two cute poems selected for youngsters to read, collected and published over a half-century in our past. Robert Frost is famous for the poem “Stopping By The Woods On A Snowy Evening,” which would qualify for the winter shades in a column on the strengths of Winter and Spring. You have your own experiences and ideas, I am sure. Let’s close with this cute, short poem of his.

Fire and Ice

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice. From what I have tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great and would suffice.

By this time in our Spring, you should be as deep in floral displays as you wish. If you are able, get out and walk in a park that offers some wild blooms, coming from the strong desire dominating the plant world. We can all think of our experiences as we tried to dominate some of the less desirable plant life, and end up with a spray that silenced the bouquet it had planned for our eyes and noses.

For years, yogurt has been an iconic health food, and rightly so. Yogurt is an excellent source of protein, which not only helps build muscles, but also helps you feel full. Yogurt contains calcium, potassium and a variety of other vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy. Plus, there are those live and active cultures, known as probiotics, which maintain digestive health and give our immune systems an extra boost.

In the past 12 years, America’s consumption of yogurt has doubled, and the evolution of Greek yogurt has played a large role in that trend. With this expansion of yogurt, the difference between the varieties is still Greek to customers. Here is what makes Greek yogurt different: Greek yogurt is strained to remove most of the liquid whey, lactose and sugar, making it thicker than traditional yogurts. As far as the nutritional differences, Greek yogurt can contain up to twice the protein, and is usually lower in carbohydrates.

Snack and breakfast times are the most common time yogurt is consumed. However yogurt can be easily included in other meals. The creamy texture of yogurt makes it a great substitute for the fat in most recipes. Try a few of these easy exchanges in your kitchen:

Instead of this: Try This: Calories Saved:
1 cup sour cream 1 cup yogurt 392
1 cup mayonnaise 1 cup yogurt 1334
1 cup cream cheese 1 cup yogurt 710
1 cup butter ? cup butter and ? cup yogurt 789
1 cup oil ? cup yogurt 1852

Use these simple swaps in a variety of recipes from baked goods to dips and salads; by doing so you’ll easily cut a few hundred calories from your dish. Here are a few easy ways to use yogurt at mealtime:

• Use plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to top tacos, baked potatoes and chili.

• Try mixing two cups of Greek yogurt with a packet of dry ranch dressing for a quick veggie dip.

• Switch your milk and butter for yogurt next time you make mashed potatoes.

• Experiment with flavors too; replacing sour cream with lemon yogurt in a cherry or blueberry coffeecake makes a
• Cool off on hot summer days by serving fruit at meals with yogurt, in the form of a smoothie or parfait.

• Serve your salads with yogurt – like the following recipe.

Summer Fruit & Pasta Toss
Source: Midwest Dairy
Serves: 4

All you need:
8 oz. uncooked whole wheat spiral pasta
1? cups sliced strawberries
1 cup halved seedless grapes
1? cups cubed cantaloupe (about half a cantaloupe)
1? cups cubed pineapple (about half a pineapple)
1? cups (12 ounces) low-fat vanilla yogurt

All you do:
1. Cook pasta according to package instructions, drain and cool in refrigerator for 10 minutes.
2. While pasta is cooking, prepare fruit and place in large serving bowl.
3. Once pasta has cooled, add to bowl. Gently mix yogurt into pasta mixture.
4. Chill for 30 minutes in refrigerator before serving.

Nutrition Information per serving: 370 Calories, 2g Fat, 1g Saturated Fat, 5mg Cholesterol, 77mg Sodium, 80g Carbohydrate, 3g Dietary Fiber, 14g Protein, 21% Daily Value Calcium

This information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.

A very common statement I hear from hearing aid users is that even though they have hearing aids, they still don’t hear well in background noise. This is probably the biggest difficulty with hearing loss and hearing aids. What I mean by background noise is usually chatter in places like restaurants and parties, fan noise, TV noise, music, or any other type of noises that are going on at the same time you are trying to hold a conversation. The most difficult of these is probably chatter, or other conversations that you don’t want to listen to. Here is an illustration I use to help explain why this is so difficult.

Imagine doing a Jigsaw puzzle. You have your border and some of the middle pieces put together, so you can start to make out what the picture is, but it isn’t complete. You have your pile of pieces that you know fit somewhere in that puzzle and will help make the picture clearer. The more pieces you fit into place, the easier it is to complete the puzzle, or even guess what the picture is. This is kind of like listening to conversation in a quiet situation with some hearing loss. It is somewhat easy to figure out what someone is saying in this situation. Our brain knows what words are supposed to sound like, so when the ears aren’t giving it all the information it needs, the brain starts looking for ways to fill in the missing information. We do this by using our eyes to get clues from the face of the person that we are trying to communicate with. The brain also uses clues from the context of what information it is getting from the hearing loss. This is like the pile of puzzle pieces. The more severe your hearing loss, the fewer pieces you have completed to be able to guess what is being said, and the more pieces you have to try to fit from the other clues. Hearing aids help complete more of the puzzle for the brain, making it a little easier to fit the remaining pieces from the pile. Now, go back to doing your Jigsaw puzzle. Imagine as you are trying to complete your puzzle. Other people come by with their own puzzle pieces and dump them into your pile of pieces. Just how easy is it going to be for you to complete your puzzle? You now not only have to figure out where pieces go, you have to figure out which pieces even belong in your puzzle, and which ones don’t. This is a lot like what it is to understand conversation in background noise.

Different technology in hearing aids can help with sorting out some of those pieces that don’t belong. An audiologist can help you determine which technology is going to be the most helpful for you in the specific situations you struggle with. Your audiologist will also make sure your hearing aid is fitting properly and is programmed properly. Some important things to keep in mind, though, are that 1) that even the best hearing aids are not the same as having perfect hearing, and 2) there are times where even people with normal hearing struggle to understand in background noise. Audiologists are trained to help you develop strategies to more effectively communicate in these challenging situations. Hearing aids are only one tool we use in communication. You need all possible tools to help you have the best success with your hearing!